Restitutional Factors in Receptive Group Music Therapy Inspired by GIM

This article is based on a study concerning music psychotherapy based on a Group Music and Imagery method. The model used is based on patients' listening experiences during selected, primarily classical music, specially designed for an inpatient setting. The patients report their experiences to the group after the music intervention and the material is used as a part of the therapy process. The music listening is supported by verbal guiding from the therapist, to help the patients to focus. Nine psychiatric patients diagnosed as schizophrenic or with schizotypical disorders participated in a therapy group during a six–month period, and the study focuses on restitutional factors in the therapeutic process and the patients' evaluation of their therapy. The methodology is primarily qualitative and the investigation is in two parts. Part one concerns the patients– evaluation of the therapy based on interviews, the GAF rating scale, and a qualitative questionnaire including a mood test and aspects of the patients– overall view of the therapy. The results of this part of the study were published in this journal, (Moe, Raben & Roesen, 2000). The present article is based on part two. The experiences of four patients are analyzed, focusing on their imagery during the music listening period. The role of the music and the images is discussed. Data from the therapist's log are categorized. The categories include restitutional factors in the therapy process. Based on these findings a theory about the relationship between self–objects, psychological defensive manoeuvres and restitutional factors is outlined and discussed. Keywords:GlM, Psychotherapy Research, Self–objects, Psychological defence manoeuvres, Schizophrenia and schizotypical disorders, Symbolization.